Bubble Breakup Phenomena in a Venturi Tube

Abstract

Microbubble generation techniques have been proposed in former investigations. Here, we study an effective technique using air bubbly flow into a convergent-divergent nozzle (venturi tube). Pressure change in the diverging section induces bubble breakup. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of flow velocity at the throat with respect to the bubble breakup process and the bubble behavior in a venturi tube. Relations between generated bubble diameter and bubble breakup process are also described. Using high speed camera for detailed observation of bubble behavior, the following features were obtained. The velocity at the throat is expected to be of the order of the magnitude of the speed of sound of bubbly flow and a drastic bubble expansion and a shrink is induced. Besides, a liquid column appeared after the bubble flowing into the throat, and it grew up to stick to the bubble like in the form of a jet. This jet induced both unstable surface waves and the breakup of a single large bubble into several pieces.